Virginia Holocaust Museum

The Museum was founded in 1997, in an effort to preserve and educate people on the atrocities of the Holocaust, and modern Genocides. Within three years of its opening, the increasing number of visitors particularly from area middle & high schools, the Trustees & Staff began to research of potential spaces for further organizational growth and development.

In 2001, the Virginia General Assembly proposed the donation of the former American Tobacco Company building, in the Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom district, with the goal of creating a museum dedicated to education, and the preservation of Survivors’ experiences. After nearly three years of restoration and reconfiguration, in 2004, the expanded Museum opened on East Cary Street.

The VHM has since embraced an active role not only across Virginia but also on a regional level. Our educational successes include the creation of a requirement to teach the Holocaust in accordance with the Virginia Standards of Learning; our flagship educator development workshop, the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute (TEI); and providing both guided tours, and educational resources to Mid-Atlantic States.